City Departments

Hall of Fame Members

George A. Clare

Inducted 2005

George Adam Clare was born on June 6, 1854 a son of John Clare and Margaret (Marguerite) Beck. In 1875 he joined the small foundry that had been started by his father. In 1881, upon the retirement of his father, he purchased the company in partnership with his brother Frederick Clare and Henry C. Hilborn. When the business was incorporated in 1901 as Clare Bros. Co. Ltd., Mr. Clare became the president of the company. Mr. Clare was also president of a number of other companies including Galt Stove and Furnace Co. Ltd., Clare and Clare and Brodest Ltd. of Winnipeg, Canadian Office and School Furniture Co. Ltd., Solid Leather Shoe Co. Ltd. and the Preston Car and Coach Co., all of Preston. He was also a director of Stamped and Enamelled Ware Ltd. of Hespeler and of the Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Guelph. In addition to all his business concerns, Mr. Clare had a deep interest in politics and served as a member of Preston council from 1883 to 1885. In 1886 he was named reeve of Preston and held the position until 1888. After a short time away from the council table he was once again named as reeve in 1891 and remained in the post until 1898. In 1900 Mr. Clare became the first elected Mayor of Preston as Preston was incorporated as a town. He was also a member of Waterloo County council from 1888 to 1898 and acted as warden of the County in 1895. His career in federal politics began in 1891 when he was chosen by the Conservative Party as its candidate in the riding of South Waterloo. He was defeated in that election and again in 1896 but was finally successful in the election of 1900. He was appointed a Privy Councillor in 1913 and represented the constituency until his death in 1915. He was one of five federal members of Parliament for Waterloo South to die while in office. The others were Alexander M. Edwards (1938), Karl Homuth (1951), William Anderson 1961 and Gordon Chaplin (1964). He is buried in the Preston Cemetery.

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While the Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place annually in June, nominations are accepted any time during the year. We are now accepting nominations for induction to the Cambridge Hall of Fame in 2015. It is strongly recommended that all nominations be supported by background information on the achievements of the nominee. The deadline for nominations is no later than Friday, March 27, 2015. The nomination form and supporting documentation can be mailed to the address on the nomination form or brought in person to the City of Cambridge Archives, 2nd floor, 46 Dickson Street.